Continuing our K-10 syllabus question and answer series, this post looks at the ongoing support available from the Languages and Culture team, logistical questions arising from the workshops and school registration.

You can find previous posts on implementation,syllabus content and outcomes,target language use in the classroom, three learner groups,learning across the curriculum content, programming, Program Builder, the role of language and culture objective, assessment and reporting by clicking on the 7-10 category on the right hand side of the Languages NSW News page: https://www.languagesnsw.com/news

Ongoing supportThe Languages and Culture team will be developing and offering a range of follow-up professional learning to support teachers as they implement the new syllabuses:1. We are developing an eCourse for teachers who were unable to attend the face-to-face workshop or who would like to strengthen their learning about the new syllabus documents.2. Teachers who participate in the face-to-face workshops and/or the eCourse are invited to participate in programming days (participation in the face-to-face workshop and/or the eCourse is a prerequisite, and details are emailed to eligible teachers).3. Syllabus support modules will be developed in 2019 in response to teacher feedback.

Q: Can we please have a session on how to adapt outcomes to “authentic” assessment tasks SPECIFICALLY for non-background Year 7 students with no prior knowledge and low motivation and behavioural problems?A: Developing engaging teaching and learning activities to meet the outcomes was identified by many teachers as their top priority for further professional learning. This will be incorporated into syllabus support modules to be developed in 2019.

Q: Further workshop ideas: Assessment development or tasks (not for assessments).A: Both of these areas will be addressed in the upcoming syllabus support modules.

Q: When will NESA provide more support materials for all languages?A: NESA is gradually developing resources to support all 8 of the new language syllabuses. The Languages and Culture team is also working to develop resources, subject to the availability of writers in each language. French and Japanese are being developed this term. If you're interested in being part of the writing team, look out for our expression of interest.

LogisticsQ: Could we please have a copy of the PPTs from today? (especially the morning session ones)A: Since the Hornsby workshop on 29 May, copies of key PowerPoint slides were provided at all workshops. Copies were emailed to participants who attended workshops in early May. If you did not receive a copy of the key slides summary, please get in touch.

Q: Can we have an electronic version of the PowerPoint presentation “Familiarisation & Planning workshop” sent to the participants please?A: We are unable to share the PowerPoint electronically, as we will be delivering additional workshops in 2019. We are also developing an eCourse, through which teachers can access the key information.

Q: Could we please have a copy of the backward mapping template?A: This has been emailed to all workshop groups who requested a copy. We have also included it in a post on languagesnsw.com. If you have not received a copy and/or are unable to access the Languages NSW post, please get in touch.

School registration​Q: What are the expectations from NESA regarding programs as we transition to the new syllabuses? Will they expect everything to be brand new or can we gradually create new units?A: NESA monitors the compliance of NSW public schools, ensuring schools remain consistent with the department’s policies and procedures – you can find more information on the NESA website. Evidence of compliance in relation to curriculum can be found at 4.7 of NESA’s Registration Process for the NSW Government Schooling System Manual. Programming documents, including scope and sequences, units of work and assessment, must reflect the new K-10 syllabuses from 2019 for Years 7 and 9, and from 2020 with Years 8 and 10.

Keep an eye out for the final question and answer instalment coming soon. The last instalment will cover transition to Stage 6 and questions on a number of other issues.

Remember to get in touch with the Languages and Culture team if you need any further information about any of the above.